Closer Watch  A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regans Closer Grid with the link to the left).

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Key Matchups  Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). *Check Status

Clayton Kershaw v. Reds  Remember, we are talking about interleague play here and that means that the one career game Kershaw has pitched against the Reds gives him more history against a team than most of the matchups we will see this week. Its just that it was one heck of a game he had. Current Reds are 4-for-25 (.160) with 11 strikeouts in 25 at-bats. That includes Joey Votto, who has three strikeouts in three plate appearances.

Jason Vargas v. Cardinals  Once again, keep in mind we are looking at interleague matchups and there is not much history between most of the pitchers and their opponents. The point to make here is that Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols are a combined 6-for-9 with four extra-base hits off Vargas. Yes, we are talking about nine at-bats here and it is important to note that the other three at-bats were all strikeouts. Still, just something to be apprised of before running Vargas out there.

Recommended Pickup:

Conor Jackson, OF, Athletics  Jackson was traded to the Athletics on Tuesday and he will be inserted in the lineup on Wednesday to bat in the No. 2 spot. He fits the Billy Beane mold in that he is an on-base machine and he doesnt strike out very often. Jackson has hit just .238 this season and it follows his 2009 in which he sat out most of the season with Valley Fever. However, there are signs he was back on the right track by hitting .289 in June. Dont expect to win the league just by adding Jackson, but you can breathe easy knowing he will have a chance to play every day.